B-1/B-2 Visitor : B-1 – for Business / B-2 – for Pleasure
For coming to the U.S. for business or pleasure. B-1 business visitor visas are for brief visits and do not allow employment. Nationals of some countries are allowed to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa.
E-1 – Treaty Trader / E-2 – Treaty Investor
Investors / traders and their employees may receive status to carry on their business in the U.S. if the home country has a commercial treaty with the United States conferring such eligibility.
F-1 – Academic Student
Persons enrolling in a full course of study at an educational institution in the United States may be eligible for F-1 status for the course of their study and a period for practical training (P/T) in their field.
G – Representatives of International Organizations
H1B – Specialty Occupation
Professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in work experience may be eligible for H1B status if the position requires that particular degree. Their employers should demonstrate that they are paid at least the prevailing wage for the job.
H1C Visas for Registered Nurses
H1C status is granted to no more than 500 nurses per year at pre-qualified hospitals and health care facilities.
H2A – Agricultural Labor
H2B Visas for Temporary Workers
H-3 – Trainee
I – Representatives of Foreign News Media
J – Exchange Visitor
People coming to the U.S. through an approved exchange program may be eligible for the J-1 Exchange Visitor’s visa. These are students, scholars, job trainees, faculty, professors and research scholars, specialists, medical residents, government visitors, etc. Sometimes, a J-1 program will require that the beneficiary spend at least two years outside of the U.S. before being permitted to switch to a different nonimmigrant visa or to permanent residency.
K – Fiancé of U.S. Citizen
The Fiancé/e of a U.S. citizen is eligible for a nonimmigrant visa in order to marry within 90 days of entry to the U.S.
L – Intra Company Transferee
L-1 visas are available to executives, managers and specialized employees moving to their employer’s U.S. affiliate sites. Executives and managers with valid L-1 status may be eligible for permanent residency without the need for a labor certification.
M – Vocational Student
M-1 visas are available for students who wish to attend vocational schools.
O-1, O-2 – Extraordinary Ability
The O-1 category is for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, athletics, education, or business.
P-1, P-2, P-3 – Athletes and Group Entertainers
For athletes, artists, and entertainers.
Q – International Cultural Exchange Program
Q-2 – Special Visa Program for Northern Ireland
R – Religious Vocation or Profession
Religious workers include ordained clergy and those who have taken religious vows, as well as religious professionals such as choral directors, teachers of religion, and so forth.
TN – Trade NAFTA Professionals
A special visa category for nationals of Canada / Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
